PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Beltran (ranked 2388 p4p, 213 weight class) and Mario Curran (ranked 2484 p4p, 220 weight class). Curran is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Shoshone Flag Song. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Beltran
vs
Curran

171 cm
39
145 lbs
25 - 17 - 1

169 cm
32
146 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carlos Beltran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mario Curran!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beltran fails to land with a series of punches.
A big right from Curran misses.
Beltran gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Curran.

Beltran shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Curran manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Curran looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Curran is looking for a triangle but Beltran pushes his legs off easily.

Beltran stands up and waves to Curran to follow him.
Curran shoots in looking for a takedown but Beltran manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Curran's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Curran throws out a loose jab but Beltran uses good head movement to avoid it.
Beltran throws a big counter combination but Curran scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Curran dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Beltran. That did some damage!
Curran throws the kick towards the body but Beltran avoids it.
Curran misses with a straight left.
Beltran ducks under a wild hook from Curran.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curran takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Curran swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Beltran moves away from the strike by Curran.
Beltran stuffs the takedown attempt from Curran. Curran gets slowly back to his feet.
Beltran tries to counter with a takedown but Curran is quick to defend against it.

Curran shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Beltran is trying to defend but Curran finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Beltran keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Beltran trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Curran manages to pass to mount!
Curran cracks Beltran with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Beltran takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Beltran is desperately trying to improve his position but Curran has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beltran gets back to half guard.
Beltran is looking for a sweep. Curran is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Curran seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Beltran wants to get back to his feet.
Beltran trying to control but Curran postures up.
Beltran wants to improve his position but Curran is controlling well.
Beltran controlling the position for now.
Curran working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Curran lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curran sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Beltran defending well though.
Curran throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Curran is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Curran prevents Beltran from improving his position.
Curran missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Beltran is trying to control but can't.
Curran winds up and cracks Beltran with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Beltran is looking for a sweep. Curran is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curran is nestled in close to Beltran, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Beltran avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Curran.
Curran is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Curran is looking for a kimura here.
Curran lands with a punch from half guard.
Curran winds up and cracks Beltran with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Curran has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Curran wants to free his trapped foot but Beltran is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Curran is looking for a kimura but Beltran is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Curran to get the leverage.
Curran prevents Beltran from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Curran dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Beltran closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Curran did well to prevent Beltran getting side control.
Beltran is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Beltran lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Curran works his way to full guard. Good work.
Beltran is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Curran looking to hit a scissor sweep but Beltran is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Curran working for a triangle but Beltran defends it easily.
Curran keeping moving, preventing Beltran from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Curran looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Beltran passes into side control.

Beltran is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Curran knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Curran gets back to half guard.
Curran is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Beltran's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Beltran's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curran landing with strikes.
Curran scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Beltran is looking for a way out.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Curran.

Beltran is rocked!
Beltran is in bad spot here.
Curran cracks Beltran with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Beltran from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
Beltran is trying to stand back up.
Curran avoiding Beltran 's attempts to control his hands.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Curran punishes Beltran with strikes from the back mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Curran punches Beltran on the ear.
Oh Beltran is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Curran working for a choke but Beltran is defending well.
Beltran seems to have got his legs back now.
Beltran is really stuck here.
Beltran rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Beltran wants to get back to his feet.
Curran working over Beltran with some ground and pound. Beltran looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Curran tries to pass to full mount but Beltran defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beltran punching from the bottom.
Curran missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Beltran wants to control but Curran is keeping busy.
Beltran gets full guard.
Beltran manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Curran manages to get himself to full guard.

Curran looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Beltran is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Beltran wants to control from the top but Curran keeps moving.
Curran wants to sweep here but Beltran controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Curran showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Curran waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Beltran.
Curran scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Beltran doesn't seem bothered though.
Curran works the jab nicely.

Beltran closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Curran misses with the head strike.

Beltran has Curran pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Beltran pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Curran tumbling to the mat - Beltran dives into Curran's guard.

Curran throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Curran is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Beltran is aware though and is defending well.
Curran looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Curran is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Beltran pushes Curran off and gets back to his feet.
Mario Curran seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Curran misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Carlos Beltran is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Beltran scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Beltran gets to mount! Curran was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Beltran landing strikes, looking to finish!
Curran is wriggling around trying to escape.

Beltran stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Beltran shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Beltran showed some decent athleticism there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Beltran in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curran wants to get back to full guard.
Curran gets back to full guard.
Beltran stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Curran swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Beltran sitting in guard here, content to control.
Curran is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Curran has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Curran working over Beltran with some ground and pound. Beltran looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beltran wants to get back to full guard.
Curran tries to pass to full mount but Beltran defends it.
Beltran wants to control but Curran is keeping busy.

Curran is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Beltran is trying to get back to full guard.
Curran working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Curran uses his free foot to push down on Beltran's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Beltran.
Beltran is desperately trying to improve his position but Curran has a good base and remains in mount.
Curran has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Beltran's face.
Curran working the ground and pound effectively.
Curran is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Beltran bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Mario Curran is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Curran lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Curran postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mario Curran.
I've got Curran winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Curran!
After the fight, Mario Curran was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.